Cosmetic Dentistry - Your Guide for Teeth Whitening, Veneers, Crowns, and Fillings

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a sub-field of dentistry that concerns operations and techniques to help improve the appearance of the teeth, gums and mouth. Generally speaking, cosmetic procedures are not ones that will be strictly required from a medical standpoint. Rather, they are designed to enhance the natural appearance or to correct cosmetic defects in the mouth.

How does Cosmetic Dentistry work?

Cosmetic dentistry is a broad category that contains several different types of procedures. The techniques for improving the appearance of the teeth are many and include excision, capping, veneer placement, lasers and more. The exact treatment that is best will depend upon the patient and on the cosmetic deficiency that is to be corrected.

Some of the most common types of cosmetic dentistry are teeth whitening procedures and the filling in of cracked, chipped or missing teeth. Whitening can either be done with chemicals that are applied directly to the teeth, or with veneers. Veneers are moldings that are fit onto the teeth and which provide the teeth a shiny, white appearance. These can also be helpful in addressing teeth that have been damaged by cracks, chips or in some other way.

Who is a candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry?

Most types of cosmetic dentistry are designed to remedy issues that exist for adult teeth that have grown in entirely. Therefore, the majority of patients who receive cosmetic dentistry treatments are adults or older children whose teeth are done growing and developing. The primary exception to this general trend, however, is orthodontic braces. Braces are designed to help guide the growth of the teeth as they enter into the mouth. While braces are often used to correct potentially painful medical problems, they can also have a beneficial cosmetic effect. They are most commonly used for children whose teeth are growing.

What is the recovery like?

Because there are a variety of different types of cosmetic dentistry procedures, there is some variation in the recovery process for each. The most straightforward of these procedures, like braces and veneers, may affect the foods that you can eat and the sensitivity of your teeth, but they will not have recovery processes as other procedures do. For laser treatments and caps, recovery typically involves monitoring the affected area to be sure that an infection does not begin. It will also usually include a modified or limited diet for a period of time until the body has adjusted to the dental implant or procedure.

What are the results?

The results of a successful cosmetic procedure will leave your smile and teeth looking better than before. This can mean straightening your teeth, filling in spaces or gaps between teeth, altering the coloration of the teeth, adjusting the gum line and more, depending upon the procedure.

Are there risks to Cosmetic Dentistry?

As with other medical procedures, there are certain risks inherent to cosmetic dentistry. Be sure to discuss the risks involved with the particular type of procedure that you're interested in with a dentist before you begin.

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